Paper profile and reading systems

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, computer readable media and other means for generating a profile for a particular type of media are provided. The profile represents a set of preferred printing parameters to be used to achieve a target print quality for a reference printing device. The profile may be used by other non-reference printing devices in order to optimize printing for that type of media. For each non-reference printing device, an offset may be established that represents the differences between the non-reference and the reference printing devices. A processor of the non-reference printing device may identify the type of media and the profile for that media and then adjust the printing parameters for the non-reference printing device based on the profile and the offset in order to optimize the print quality. The profile may also include a parameter that is based on a temperature coefficient associated with the type of printer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/569,583filed Sep. 29, 2009, which claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/105,667 filed Oct. 15, 2008, the entire contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to printing devices and, moreparticularly, to the creation and use of profiles for different types ofmedia and different types of printing devices as well as to theidentification of the profiles and the different types of media.

BACKGROUND

Most conventional printing devices can not be quickly and easilyswitched over to new applications. For example, typical conventionalprinting devices may require multiple adjustments and on-sitecalibration to optimize the quality of the printed output. Often aconventional printing device is optimized for one particular printingapplication, such as printing photographs, barcodes, or text. Byoptimizing for one particular printing application, often the printingdevice is or becomes less than optimal or “suboptimal” in terms of printquality for the other type of printing applications.

Moreover, other conventional printing devices may be configured tohandle a wide variety of supplies or applications. Unfortunately in suchprinting devices the print quality is often less than optimal for allapplications due to trade-offs made in the printing device toaccommodate a variety of supplies. These other conventional printingdevices may also be optimized for printing in a particular environment,such as moderate temperature or humidity, and thus be suboptimallyconfigured when used in different locations or during different seasonsof the year when used outside.

Managing a stock of printing supplies for known printing devices can betroublesome as well. For example, maintaining a large stock of paper,tags, cards, labels, wristbands, ribbons, or other supplies, sometimesin multiple stocking locations, is often desirable because it reducesthe operational impact of running out. But many of these supplies changeover time. For example, some supplies may expire while in storage,especially if exposed to suboptimal environmental conditions, such ashumidity or temperature. It is also sometimes desirable to changesuppliers of printing supplies for business reasons, e.g., to benefitfrom different pricing arrangements, delivery or stocking terms, orother supplier-specific capabilities. These changes can also createoperational problems for end users with conventional printing devices,because the optimal print settings for the first suppliers' material maynot be the same as those for the supplies from an alternate supplier orstock location.

Conventional thermal printers may provide unique or more challengingissues. Many types of thermal printers have attempted to compensate forthe variation in print quality by providing many adjustable printersettings. For example, the operator of many thermal printers can adjustthe pressure, the distribution of pressure across the printhead,darkness settings, print mode, and print speed. Indeed many thermalprinters may prompt the operator for input, via lights and buttons, afront panel, or other computer-human interface terminal, and/or requirethe operator to adjust one or more mechanical settings. There are alsoattempts in the prior art to provide closed-loop feedback at the time ofprinting, by detecting poor print quality and intervening in theprinting process by stopping printing, alerting the operator, or makingminor adjustments.

Supplies manufacturers have also attempted to compensate for thevariation in print quality by controlling the variation in the paper,tags, cards, labels, wristbands, ink or ribbons themselves, or byspecifying a narrow set of possible products for use with a narrow rangeof printers. However, these efforts are sometimes at odds with therequirement for a wide variety of substrates, in many different sizes,for many different applications experienced by some end users.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, computerreadable media and other means for generating a profile for a particulartype of media and a printer. The profile can represent a set ofpreferred printing parameters to be used to achieve a target printquality for a reference printing device. The profile may be used byother non-reference printing devices in order to optimize printing forthat type of media. For each non-reference printing device, an offsetmay be established that represents the differences between thenon-reference and the reference printing devices. A processor of thenon-reference printing device may identify the type of media and theprofile for that media and then adjust the printing parameters for thenon-reference printing device based on the profile and the offset inorder to optimize the print quality for that media. The profile may alsoinclude a parameter that is based on a temperature coefficientassociated with the type of printer

For example, embodiments of the present invention include a method,system, computer readable media and other means for selecting areference printing device; receiving a targeted media; printing a testpattern at a first applied energy value; printing at least one othertest pattern, wherein the at least one other test pattern is printed atanother applied energy value different than the first applied energyvalue; determining a first print quality for the test pattern at thefirst applied energy value; determining a second print quality for theother test pattern at the other applied energy value; printing a firsttest pattern at a first print speed; printing at least one additionalprint pattern at a second print speed; determining a print quality forthe test pattern at the first print speed; determining an additionalprint quality for the at least one additional print pattern at thesecond print speed; and generating a profile for the targeted media.

As another example, embodiments of the present invention include amethod, system, computer readable media and other means for receivingone or more profiles, wherein each of the profiles is associated with atype of media; receiving a media of a first type of media; identifyingthe first type of media; identifying a profile associated with the firsttype of media; adjusting at least one printing parameter of a printingdevice based on the profile associated with the first type of media.This may also include identifying the first type of media by reading abarcode or RFID tag associated with the media, a media providerapparatus (such as a paper feeder tray of a printer), etc. In addition,the ambient temperature of the environment can be determined prior toadjusting the at least one printing parameter; and then, if necessary,used to adjust a temperature printing parameter based on the ambienttemperature. Adjusting the temperature printing parameter can compriseprocessing an equation that is a function of a temperature coefficientassociated with the printing device.

The embodiments of the present invention can use, among other things, aprinting device comprising a memory element configured to store aprofile for each of a plurality of types of media; a printheadconfigured to print indicia on the plurality of types of media based onat least one printing parameter; and a controller. The controller canbe, for example, a processor and/or other electronic device configuredto, among other things, identify a first type of media received by theprinting device; identify a profile stored in the memory elementassociated with the first type of media; and adjust the at least oneprinting parameter based on the profile. The controller can also beconfigured to apply an offset to the profile based on the printingdevice and/or to adjust the print speed based on the profile.

The printing device can also include an input element for receiving oneor more profiles and/or a conveyance apparatus configured to conveymedia through the printing device. The conveyance apparatus defines aprint speed.

The profile can include a strobe pattern in some embodiments. The strobepattern can include a series of first and second pulses separated by abrief interruption.

A sensor may also be included in the printing device. The sensor can beconfigured to read indicia from the first type of media, generate databased on the indicia, communicate the data (wirelessly or otherwise) tothe controller, which can then be configured to identify the first typeof media. Similarly, the printing device can comprise a RFID readerconfigured to read information from a supply of the first type of media,wherein the controller is further configured to identify the first typeof media in response to the RFID reader reading the information from thesupply.

A temperature sensor can also be used by the printing device todetermine the ambient temperature of the environment local to theprinting device's printhead. For example, when the printer is placedinside a kiosk (such as those sometimes found in parking decks and trainstations), the local environment can be the environment inside thehousing of the kiosk. In such embodiments, a thermometer may be locatedin the kiosk's housing near the printhead, and used to determine thelocal ambient temperature inside the housing. Similarly, a thermometercan be located in proximity to the printhead, even if the printhead isnot inside a kiosk. In addition to temperature, other aspects of theenvironment could also be measured and used to enhance anythingoutputted by the printing device.

Embodiments of the present invention also include a supply of a firsttype of media comprising: an identification means configured to beaccessible to a printing device such that the printing device canidentify the first type of media. The identification means can be, forexample, a barcode and/or an RFID tag, which can contain a profile forthe first type of media. The profile can also provide information to theprinting device for adjusting one or more printing parameters of theprinting device for obtaining a desired print quality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a flow chart of a method according to some exemplaryembodiments;

FIG. 2 shows a graph of a relationship between energy applied and printquality for an exemplary type of media;

FIG. 3 shows a graph of a relationship between print speed and printquality for the media of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a graph of the energy compensation for a cold printhead atthe beginning of a print job;

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of a method according to exemplaryembodiments;

FIG. 6 a shows an example of a test pattern;

FIG. 6 b shows another example of a test pattern;

FIG. 7 shows an example of a barcode consistent with some embodiments;

FIG. 8 shows an example of a barcode translation consistent with someembodiments;

FIG. 9 shows an example of a placement of a barcode on media;

FIG. 10 shows a schematic representation of a printing device consistentwith some embodiments; and

FIG. 11 shows a graphical representation of a strobe pattern consistentwith some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allembodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Printing devices, e.g., printers, copiers, and facsimile machines, areconfigured to print images or other indicia (typically through aprinthead of the printing device) onto various types of media. Thedifferent types of media include, but are not limited to, paper basedmedia which can vary by, thickness, width, weight, texture, and density.Examples of paper based media include, but are not limited to, glossypaper, matte paper, bond paper, which are used in books, credit cardreceipts, parking deck tickets, home printers, pictures, labels,stickers, etc. The media may also vary between manufacturers even if themedia is intended for the same application or use. As a more specificexample, the printing device may be a direct thermal printer and themedia may be different types of direct thermal paper.

Print quality may be a function of several print parameters of theprinting device, such as print speed and energy (e.g., heat) appliedfrom the printhead of the printing device to the media, the particularcharacteristics or properties of the media and the characteristics ofthe environment (e.g., ambient temperature, humidity, etc.). Because theproperties of media vary among types, the optimal print parameters,i.e., the parameters that will achieve a desired print quality, may varyamong types of media. Moreover, due to differences among different typesof printing devices (e.g., different models of printers), the printingparameters may also vary among different printing devices and/or printermodels, even for the same type of media. In addition, the printingparameters may still vary depending on the ambient environmentalconditions, such as the ambient temperature, even when same type ofmedia and model printer is used.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to, among otherthings, generating a profile for a particular type of media andparticular model printer based on the environmental conditions. Theprofile represents a set of preferred printing parameters to be used toachieve a certain level of desired print quality, referred to herein asa target print quality, for a reference printing device. As discussedfurther below, the profile may be used by other non-reference printingdevices in order to optimize printing for that type of media. For eachnon-reference printing device, an offset may be established thatrepresents the differences between the non-reference and the referenceprinting devices. A processor of the non-reference printing device mayidentify the type of media and the profile for that media and thenadjust the printing parameters for the non-reference printing devicebased on the profile and the offset in order to optimize the printquality for that media.

The profile may include an expected print quality for a particularenergy applied value and/or print speed in given environmentalconditions. “Print quality” may be defined by several factors ormeasures. In the embodiments shown herein, the print quality is simplydefined by the density of the pattern.

However, it is understood that in other embodiments print quality may bedefined by additional and/or different factors than density alone. Forexample, for machine readable indicia such as a barcode, print qualitymay include the blackness or density of the printed pattern, theconsistency of the pattern, and/or the sharpness of the edges of thepattern. Other or additional factors for print quality, e.g., in regardsto readability by a human, may include legibility, contrast compared tothe indicia and background, and type of font/typeface and spacing andsize thereof. As another example, print quality, e.g., for pictures, maybe defined by factors such as color, color saturation, grain/sharpness,image stability, and/or the moiré effect.

Regarding reference and non-reference printers, a manufacturer ofprinters may have several models or types of printers in its fleet ofmodels. The manufacturer may select a particular type or model ofprinter as a reference printer. The reference printer may be used totest and generate profiles for several types or kinds of media expectedto be used on one or more of the different types or kinds of printers ofthe manufacturers. The other printers not used in the testing and/orgeneration of profiles are referred to herein as non-reference printers.The decision on which printer will be the reference printer may be atthe discretion of the manufacturer. For example, the manufacturer mayuse its best selling printer as the reference printer.

FIG. 1 shows a method for generating a profile for a particular type ofmedia, referred to as the target media. The method of FIG. 1 includesselecting a reference printing device at block 110, providing a targetmedia at block 120, printing a test pattern at a first energy appliedvalue and at least at a second energy applied value within a range ofenergy applied values at block 130, determining a print quality for thetest pattern at the first energy applied value and the second energyapplied value at block 140, printing a test pattern at a first ambienttemperature and at least a second ambient temperature at block 150,determining at least one temperature coefficient for the type of theprinter at block 160, printing a test pattern at a first speed and atleast at a second speed within a range of speeds at block 170,determining a print quality for the test pattern at the first speed andat least the second speed at block 180, and generating a profile for thetarget media using the model printer at a detected ambient temperaturewithin a predetermined range at block 190.

The operations of determining the print quality of the test pattern at aparticular energy applied value (block 140), ambient temperature (block160) and/or print speed (block 180) may include determining the densityof the test pattern. The density of the test pattern may be determinedthrough the use of a measuring device, such as, e.g., a densitometer orother reflective-type sensor. In some embodiments, a higher densitygenerally indicates a higher print quality. However, in otherembodiments, the best print quality may be associated with a targeteddensity level rather than just the highest possible density level. Forexample, in applications wherein the printed indicia is intended to beread by a human, the higher the density generally indicates a higherprinter quality because, in general, humans like to see very black textand graphics. In applications wherein the printed indicia is intended tobe machine read, e.g., a laser barcode scanner, then the best printquality may be a particular grey visible level because the laser barcodescanner can more readily read grey indicia then black indicia (i.e., thescanner has a higher read rate at more grey visible levels than blackvisible levels).

As illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the method includes usingthe reference printing device and the target media to print a testpattern multiple times (blocks 130, 150 and 170). The first series oftests may be used to determine the relationship between energy appliedvalue and print quality (blocks 130 and 140). The second series of tests(blocks 150 and 160) may be used to determine the printer model'stemperature coefficient (“k”). And the third series of tests may be usedto determine the relationship between print speed and print quality(blocks 170 and 180). Other factors or characteristics that may betested to determine relationship with print quality include, withoutlimitation, the age of the media, the storage environment of the media(e.g., humidity and temperature), current humidity of the printingenvironment and/or the media, the cleanliness of the printhead, the ageof the printhead, the manufacturer of the printhead, the thermoproperties of the printhead (the rate at which the printhead absorbs,reflects, or radiates heat), and/or mechanical drift of the printingdevice (the change of properties of one or more of the mechanicalparameters of the printing device over time or use). Depending on theapplication, e.g., barcodes, text, or pictures, the definition or thefactors that define print quality may vary and may be testedaccordingly.

More specifically for the first series of tests, the test pattern may beprinted at a plurality of energy applied values, which may or may not bewithin a predetermined range of energy applied values. While thepredetermined range of energy applied values may vary, the range may bebased on physical limitations of the printing device and/or governmentregulations. The printing of the test pattern at different energyapplied values may be at a constant print speed. For example, theconstant print speed for the first series may be 100 mm/s.

The results of the first series of tests shown in FIG. 1, i.e., energyapplied values versus print quality (blocks 130 and 140), may betabulated and stored as part of a profile for the selected target media.Moreover, the relationship between energy applied value and printquality may be represented as a graph or graphs. For example, FIG. 2shows print quality, as defined by opacity/density (“OD”), as a functionof energy applied values for an exemplary target media. As illustrated,for at least a portion of the range of energy applied values, the printquality and the energy applied values generally have a directrelationship, i.e., the higher the energy applied value, the higher theprinter quality. The portion having a direct relationship can berepresented by a linear equation, as discussed further below. However,near the top and bottom of the range of energy applied values thisrelationship evolves such that an increase of energy applied values hasa minimal or no effect on the print quality. The top of the range wherethe print quality substantially stays the same or changes relativelyslowing compared to the energy applied value may be treated as a maximumprint quality for the reference printer and the target media. Forexample, in the illustrate example, the maximum print quality may betreated as 1.37 OD. Many media types have a similar relationship betweenprint quality and energy applied values as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Energy applied value may be expressed by a theoretical energytransferred from the printhead to the paper. It may be consideredtheoretical because the energy applied value may be calculated as afunction of, e.g., resistance of the printhead, voltage, and time. Theenergy applied value does not necessarily include potential losseswithin the device. Resistance and voltage may be fixed so the parameterthat is changed to control the energy applied is time. Time may beconsidered the pulse width for the heat elements radiating the energy tothe paper. The energy applied value may be expressed in Joule per squaremillimeters. Rather than focus on absolute values, it may be morebeneficial to discuss relative values, e.g., whether the energy value ishigher or lower than another value, for the purposes of thisdescription. The energy applied values are also proportionate to and,therefore, can be represented by the amount of time electrical currentis provided to the printhead. Therefore, the energy applied values aresometimes referred to herein in units of time, such as in microseconds.For example, a range of energy applied values could be 50 μs to 600 μs.

Next, referring back to the second series of tests of FIG. 1, i.e.,ambient temperature's affect on print quality, blocks 150 and 160 arediscussed in more detail. Similar to how print quality can be impactedby the energy applied value, the ambient temperature can also effectprint quality. The ambient temperature represents the heat energy (orabsence thereof) in the area surrounding the printer and the targetprint media. The area surrounding the printer can be, for example, thetemperature of a room or the temperature outside (such as when theprinter is located outside, e.g., in a public parking garage). The areasurrounding the printer may be referred to as the local environment.

A decrease in the ambient temperature can cause some printers to outputa lower print quality when all other variables (print speed, energyapplied value, etc.) remain constant. Likewise, increasing the ambienttemperature can cause some printers to output a higher print qualitywhen all other variables remain constant. Accordingly, embodiments ofthe present invention can account for ambient temperature.

One method of compensating for ambient temperature is by determining theambient temperature local to the printhead (using, e.g., an integratedthermometer), determining whether the local ambient temperature willimpact the print quality (e.g., 1 degree Celsius may not, while 40degrees Celsius likely will), and then, if necessary, adjusting theenergy applied value based on the ambient temperature when printing. Forexample, as the ambient temperature increases, the applied energy valuemay be decreased without sacrificing printer quality. As anotherexample, as the temperature of the environment decreases (which canaffect the temperature of the print media and/or printhead), the appliedenergy value can be increased to compensate for the potential reductionin the printer's performance. (As referred to herein, the increase anddecrease in temperature can be an absolute value or a relative value ascompared to the temperature used when the printer's profile was createdand/or calibrated.) Similarly, print speed can also be used tocompensate for ambient temperature, as the printhead becomes heated whenit moves faster and cools quicker when it moves slower.

When the energy applied value is being used to compensate for theambient temperature, the profile and printer's circuitry can beconfigured (which as used herein includes, specially programmed,specially hardwired, any combination thereof, etc.) to executemathematical calculations. A mathematical equation, which serve as thebasis of the calculations, correlates the ambient temperature with theenergy applied value that affects the quality of print media outputtedby the printer. Said another way, the quality of the transformation fromelectrical data to printed media can be controlled by the mathematicalequation. For example, similar to what is shown in FIG. 2, many printershave a relatively linear relationship with regards to how temperatureaffects print quality and, therefore, controlling the energy appliedvalue can directly compensate for a change in temperature. The linearequation can be represented by: OD=(k)(E)+n, wherein k and n are thetemperature coefficients for a particular type of printer (which issometimes referred to herein as the “model” of printer). OD and E arediscussed in greater detail below in connection with, e.g., FIG. 2.

The k and n coefficients can be determined by printing test samples atvarious temperatures (e.g., each degree or every so many degrees, suchas 2 or 5 degrees Celsius, between, for example, −10 degrees Celsius and60 degrees Celsius), while controlling other factors (such as printspeed and energy applied value). The print samples can then be analyzedand assigned a numeric value representing the print quality of each testsample. The numeric values can then be plotted, based on theircorresponding ambient temperature, as points on a graph. A linearstandard deviation equation of the points can often be used to providethe k and n coefficients.

Now, referring back to the third series of tests of FIG. 1, i.e., printspeed v. print quality, the process of blocks 170 and 180 are discussedin more detail. The test pattern may be printed at a plurality of printspeeds, which may or may not be within a predetermined range of printspeeds. While the predetermined range of the print speed may vary, therange may be based on the mechanical limitations of the printing device.For example, the printing device may include a motor for driving themedia through the printing device. The motor may be configured tooperate within a range of speeds. As another example, the printingdevice may include a printhead for printing the pattern or otherindicia. The printhead may also have limitations regarding minimum andmaximum speeds that can define the range of print speeds. Also, in someparticular printing devices, certain print speeds may be near aresonance frequency which may cause the printing device not to performwell or cause other problems such as noise. In such cases, these certainprint speeds may be avoided even if the print speeds are within therange of print speeds for the test. An exemplary range of printhead testspeeds could be 50 mm/s to 150 mm/s.

While the print speed may vary between the tests during the third series(blocks 170 and 180), the energy applied value and environmentalconditions maybe controlled and remain constant. For example, the energyapplied value during the third series test was the lowest value thatobtained the maximum print quality during the first series of test at 20degrees Celsius. In other words, the lowest amount of energy thatobtained the best print quality in the first series of the test becamethe constant energy value for the third series of the test. However, theselection of the constant energy applied value for the third series testmay vary between embodiments. Rather than using the lowest energyapplied value that obtained the maximum print quality in the firstseries test, another value may be selected. For example, themanufacturer of the printer may have one or more other criteria, such asa preferred energy applied value according to the design of the printer,for selecting the constant energy applied value for the second series oftest.

The results of the second series of tests may be tabulated and stored aspart of a profile for the selected target media. Moreover, therelationship between print speed and print quality may be represented asa graph or graphs. For example, FIG. 3 illustrates print quality, asdefined by OD, as a function of print speed for an exemplary targetmedia. As illustrated, as the print speed increases, the density levelgenerally increases. This generally direct, linear relationship is truebecause as the print speed increases, the printhead of the printingdevice has less time to cool off or lower its temperature and, thus, theprinthead temperature remains relatively high which promotes high printquality. Many media types have a similar relationship between printquality and print speed as illustrated in FIG. 3. As discussed above, inother embodiment other factors may be tested to determine relationshipbetween the factors and/or the print quality including, but not limitedto, characteristics of the printhead, the ambient temperature, and/orthe temperature of the media supply. Also, the order of the first,second and third series of tests can be rearranged and/or one of theseries of tests can be omitted entirely.

The test patterns, also referred to sometimes herein as test samples,may vary. However, for examples, the test pattern may be a 10×10 mmsquare as illustrated in FIG. 6 a or the test pattern may be a 8×8pixels repeated over as 10×10 mm area (i.e., 80×80 pixels) asillustrated in FIG. 6 b. A purpose of the second example may be toestablish an energy value for a history pulse. Also, although someembodiments generally describe printing a test pattern multiple times,in other embodiments more than one type of test pattern may be utilized.

Referring back to the method shown in FIG. 1, the profile for thetargeted media is generated based on the information obtained throughthe printing of the test pattern at different energy applied values andprint speeds on the reference printing device. Although, the examplesabove discuss three sets of tests, the first set having a variableapplied energy value, the second having a variable temperature, and thethird having a variable print speed, in other embodiments, a single setof tests may be performed in which the print speed, temperature andapplied energy values are varied among tests. In such embodiments,multivariate testing (e.g., designs of experiments) may be employed todetermine the relationships or functions of print speed, ambienttemperature (and/or other environmental conditions), and applied energyvalues versus each other. Moreover, a plurality of tests may beperformed and the information or data obtained during the tests may beused to extrapolate values for particular values of print speed,temperature and/or energy applied that were not tested.

The operations of determining the print qualities for the plurality oftests and generating a profile may be performed through the hardware ofthe printing device or hardware connected to or in communication withthe printing device, software, or a combination thereof. Thereforeembodiments may take the form of hardware systems, such as the printingdevice or another computer apparatus, software, or combinations thereof.As an example, embodiments may include a computer program (e.g.,software) product stored on a computer-readable storage media comprisingof one or more executable portions for performing the operationsdescribed herein. As another example, the printing device or othercomputer apparatus in communication with the printing device may includea processor, circuitry, other electrical components (such as athermometer), and/or one or more memory elements. The processor, forexample, may be embodied as a coprocessor, a controller or various otherprocessing means or devices including integrated circuits. The processormay be configured to perform one or more of the operations discussed inFIG. 1 or elsewhere herein, including storing information, such as thetest results and the profile in a memory element or other component ofthe printing device or other computer apparatus (such as, e.g., aremote, network server and/or printer).

Once the profile for the targeted media has been generated, it may bestored for later retrieval by one or more other printing devices orother computer apparatuses. According to some embodiments, the mediaprofile may be stored on a storage device located in the referenceprinting device. According to another embodiment, the media profile maybe stored on a storage media of another computing device connected tothe reference printing device. According to yet another embodiment, themedia profile may be stored in a data structure such as, for example, adatabase. The data structure may reside in the reference printing deviceor in another computer apparatus (e.g., a server) or on the media or thesupply of media (e.g., an RFID tag attached to a supply roll).

Once the profile for the targeted media has been generated, the profilemay be sent and/or received by other printing devices. For example, aprinter device may receive the profile over a network, such as theInternet or an Intranet (either through a wired or wireless connection(e.g., Bluetooth, WLAN)), or through a computer readable media, such asa DVD, CD, disk, zip drive, RFID, flash memory device, etc. The printerdevice may have a USB, a serial port, parallel port, other input port,or combination thereof for receiving the profile. The profile may bereceived or downloaded by the manufacturer of the printer, e.g., as apre-installed driver or other type of software, be hardwired into theprinter, or may be received by the user of the printer, e.g., as adriver, software update, or hardware add-on. The profile or informationregarding the profile may be received through, for example, the input ofinformation by a user, such as through an input device (e.g., akeyboard). As a more specific example, the printing device may be anoutdoor kiosk printer, such as a direct thermal printer. In such anexample, the printing device may be configured to support severaldifferent types of media from several users in various environmentalconditions. The kiosk printer may have been installed with one or moreprofiles at the manufacturer and/or download and receive one or moreprofiles once it is in the field (e.g., at a drug store or trainstation). With the plurality of profiles, the kiosk printer may be ableto support the several different types of media in varying environmentalconditions and also be updated to support additional media types.

In view of the foregoing, one would understand that for a given printerin the field, such as in commercial use (e.g., a kiosk printer in a drugstore), the printer may store several profiles corresponding to severaldifferent types of the media. For example, the printer may include atleast one memory element dedicated to storing profiles.

Embodiments may further include identifying a desired print quality. Thedesired print quality may be the maximum print quality as describedabove. Therefore, in the example of the illustrated embodiment, thedesired print quality may be identified as 1.37 OD. But again, this isonly an example. In other embodiments, the target print quality may beselected by, e.g., a manufacturer of the printing device, a manufactureof the targeted media, or the intended user of the printing deviceand/or of the targeted media.

Referring back to FIG. 3, in this example, the profile provided that forthis particular type of media, the targeted print quality level is 1.37OD. The default print speed for this particular type of media may be 100mm/s. However, according to the profile illustrated in FIG. 3, at aprint speed of 100 mm/s, the expected print quality level is only 1.30OD. Therefore, in this circumstance, the printing device is expected tohave a print quality level less than the targeted print quality unlessadjustments are made to at least one of the print speed or the energyapplied.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the energy applied can be adjusted to achievethe targeted print quality. Specifically, in this example, the followingrelationship exists: E=E_(t)+E_(d)+E_(c). E equals the actual energyapplied value. E_(t) equals the energy applied value that is expected toachieve the targeted print quality, such as 1.37 OD, according to thisexample. E_(d) equals an offset for this non-reference printing devicecompared to the reference printing device. The profile can correspond toa reference printer that may differ from the non-reference printer. Forexample, the printers may be different models or have differentmanufacturers.

E_(d) can be an offset value that represents the inherent differences ofdifferent printers. The factors that create the offset may differincluding different efficiencies (e.g., one may have a high power lossbetween the power source and the printhead). The offset between thereference printing device and the non-reference printing device may betreated the same for each profile and, thus, each type of media. Inother words, the offset may be a constant for this particularnon-reference printer.

E_(c) refers to a cooling effect. As mentioned above, a relatively hightemperature at the printhead often encourages a high print quality.Therefore, a cooling of the printhead, such as between prints, oftendecreases print quality (when, e.g., temperature and other variablesremain constant). To compensate for the cooling in such embodiments,more energy may be needed to overcome the cooling of the printhead. Thisrelationship is shown in FIG. 4. More specifically, FIG. 4 shows theenergy compensation for a cold printhead at the beginning of the printjob or other situation when the printhead is considered cold, i.e., hasnot burned any pixels for a while. Based on the foregoing relationships,the energy applied may be adjusted in order to achieve the targetedprint quality. Alternatively, rather than or in addition to adjustingthe energy applied, the print speed may be adjusted using the profile.

Referring back to the offset for the differences between thenon-referenced printer and the referenced printer, the E_(d) offset maybe determined through a series of testing between the referenced andnon-reference printer. In the printer manufacturer example, when a newor different printer model is available, the manufacturer may run aseries of tests with the new model and compare the profiles of the newmodel to the reference printer to determine the “offset relationship”between the two. The offset relationship may be linear or non-linear,and may or may not be temperature dependent. Once the offsetrelationship is determined, the new non-reference printer may store theoffset relationship such that the non-reference printer (e.g., theprocessor of the non-reference printer) can apply the offsetrelationship when adjusting the non-reference printer for a particulartype of media in view of the profile for that particular type of mediaand the reference printer.

FIG. 5 shows another method according to exemplary embodiments thatrelates to using the profile of the target media to calibrate a printingdevice. According to these embodiments, one or more parameters of theprofile may be used to adjust one or more parameters of the printingdevice in order to achieve a desired or targeted print quality. In thisregard, the printing device performs adjustments or calibrations for themedia based on the profile. The method may include receiving one or moreprofiles for media at block 510; receiving a particular type of media atblock 520; identifying the particular type of media received at block530; identifying the profile for the media that was received at block540; determining the environmental conditions that may impact the printquality (such as ambient temperature), and adjusting at least oneprinting parameter of a printing device based on the profile for themedia that was received at block 560. As an example, at least one of theprint speed and energy applied value may be adjusted.

The identifying of the media at block 510, like the other blocks ofmethods discussed herein, may be performed using various means andelements. For example, the printing device may include a user inputelement such as a keypad or keyboard. The user may enter the informationregarding the received or loaded media allowing the printing device or,more specifically, a processor of the printing device, to identify themedia. As another example, the printing device may include one or moresensor devices or elements (such as reflex sensors and gap sensors) thatcan sense or detect a characteristic or marking on the loaded media thatallows the processing element to identify the loaded media. Inparticular, each media may have a barcode or other indicia that isreadable via sensor or sensors of the printing device that containsinformation such as, but not limited to, the identity of the media,identity of the type of media, and/or the identity of the profile forthe media.

Instead of or in addition to containing information about the profile,the media may have a barcode readable by the printing device thatrepresents other information about the media that can be used to adjustthe parameters of the printing device accordingly. For example,according to some embodiments, a media may have a first black mark,e.g., a first black mark having a predetermined density, followed by oneor more fields (e.g., 3). Each field can represent a bit having a valueof 0 if the field is empty or 1 if the field is filled with black. Thefields, collectively and/or individually, may be read to determine atotal value which could be used as an index to indicate one or moreparameters. For example, the parameters may be one or more of thefollowing: paper size, black configuration, system bits, presenteron/off, max print speed, cut offset, an index in a burn table, and aprofile as discussed above.

In some embodiments, the barcode may only be read or scanned when themedia are loaded and/or when the printing device is turned ON. Theprinting device may contain software and/or firmware that instructs theprinting device or the processor of the printing device to, e.g., searchfor a barcode or other indicia on the media through one or more sensors.For example, the instructions may include searching two consecutivemedia for a barcode. The barcode may include at least one parity bit,checksum bit and/or error correction bit. In response to a parity error,the printing device may be instructed to extend the search for thebarcode to additional media, e.g., from two sheets of paper to threesheets of paper. In response to an error or failure to read the barcode,the printing device may be instructed to enter into an error state untilthe media is reloaded or the printing device runs through a power cycle.

According to some embodiments, the printing device may include more thanone tray or other infeeder component(s), wherein each tray may have thesame or different types of media loaded than the other trays. Theprinting device may be configured to link the profiles of the differentmedia with the trays. In some embodiments, for example, a first tray maycontain a first type of media and a second tray may contain a secondtype of media. In this regard, when the first tray is selected toprocess a print job, the printing device may be configured to switch tothe corresponding profile for the first type of media and adjust one ormore of the printing parameters accordingly. Likewise, when the secondtray is selected to process a print job, the printing device may beconfigured to switch to the corresponding profile for the second type ofmedia and adjust accordingly.

In other embodiments, a particular tray may contain one or moredifferent types of media. In such embodiments, the printing device maybe configured to identify the type of media for each sheet or unit ofmedia, the thickness of the media, and/or the width of the media andswitch to the corresponding profiles.

According to yet other embodiments, the printing device may beconfigured to continuously, e.g., for each sheet of paper, identify thetype of media. As such, for each sheet, the printing device may beconfigured to determine the proper profile and adjust one or more of theprinting parameters accordingly. Alternatively, in some embodimentsrather than relying on the generated profiles as discussed above, theprinting device may store and use burn and look-up tables.

The continuous identification of the type of media may provide a virtualinfeeder tray system. For example, in some printing devices, theprinting devices may have a plurality of trays wherein each traycontains and stores a particular type of media. Moreover, the printingdevice may store instructions for processing and printing on the mediafrom the different tray. For example, the instructions may provide thatthe media in tray one is “A4” paper and the media in tray two is 8½ by11 paper. Rather than rely on a system that requires a plurality oftrays and for the printing device to be adjusted by tray, the continuousidentification allows the printer device to be adjusted by theindividual sheets of media.

As mentioned, a barcode may be used to provide means for identifying themedia, regardless if the operation of identifying the media iscontinuous or more selective. The information from the barcode may beindirect. For example, the barcode may provide a number that can be usedas an index by the printing device (or, more specifically, a processorof the printing device) for matching a generated profile as discussedabove or a burn table or some other type of look-up table.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a barcode according to some embodiments. Thebarcode may include a black mark for calibration purposes. Following theblack mark, the barcode may include a first quiet zone (e.g., a blankspace having a length of five millimeters) so any calibration routineassociated with the black mark may more easily detect a trailing end ofthe black mark. The individual fields of the barcode may include one ormore characters. For example, a character may be represented by twelvemillimeters length divided into six by two millimeters slots as shown inFIG. 7. A filled slot (i.e., a black slot) may be read as a one and ablank slot may be read as a zero. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, eachcharacter includes six slots; four data bits (most significance bit(“MSB”) to least significance bit (“LSB”)), one parity bit and one synchbit. Multiple character's data bits may be shifted together to form afour bit, eight bit, twelve bit (and so on) values. It is understoodthat the illustrated barcode is an example and that one skilled in theart may use any type of barcode including, including those not limitedto, two-dimensional, visual light-spectrum barcodes.

The parity bit may be zero, so paper without a barcode may be detectedas zero without error. The synch bit may be the inverse of the paritybit if another character is to be expected. If no more characters are tobe expected, the synch bit may be the same as the parity bit to indicatethe end of the barcode. Synchronization may be done on an edge betweenthe parity and synch bar and may reset a barcode step counter of theprinting device to ensure that the barcode engine does not get out ofsynch if the barcode grows in length. After the parity and synch bits,the barcode may further include a second quiet zone of one or morecharacter slots for resynchronization in response to determining thereis a parity error. For example, in the embodiments shown by FIG. 7, thequiet zone may have six slots representing four data bits.

The printing device may include one or more sensors for detecting orreading barcodes, which can include detecting black marks. For example,upon detecting the first black mark, a barcode engine of the printingdevice may first count the quiet zone and then sample every twomillimeters incremently for each slot (e.g., of the six slots). A slotmay be read as a one if a minimum of a one millimeter length is blackallowing the bar code engine (or sensor) to be a maximum of onemillimeter off position and still be able to read the barcode. In theillustrated embodiment, after the fifth parity slot has been read (e.g.,detected and analyzed), the printing device (e.g., more specifically aprocessor of the printing device) may check the four previous data bits.If a parity error is present, an index error may be determined. Forexample, FIG. 8 shows an example of a barcode translation consistentwith some embodiments.

If a parity error is not present or the barcode is otherwise consideredvalid, the synch slot may be sampled and, if no edge is detected orfound between the parity and synch slot, then the printing device maydetermine that the barcode is done or the reading of the barcodecompleted. If an edge is detected (e.g., the synch slot is the inverseof the parity slot), the barcode counter of the printing device mayreset on the edge and synch slot is passed and the next character may beread.

In instances in which a parity error is encountered, the printing devicemay not know if the barcode is completed, i.e., whether there are morecharacters to be read. One method to allow the printing device to getback into synch again with the barcode is to reset the barcode stepcounter each time the printing device encounters a 1 to 0 transition.One method of ensuring the barcode is completed is configuring all sixslots (e.g., all four data slots, the parity slot, and the synch slot)as zero. When all six slots have been sampled and all read as (e.g.,detected and determined to be) a zero, the printing device may determinethat it has passed the barcode area of the media and enter an idle stateuntil, for example, another black mark is detected.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a placement of a barcode on a medium. In thisexample, the barcode extends from a perforated edge of the medium. Theedge also includes a black mark. The bar code has a width of “a” and alength of “c.” Also shown is distance “b” from a side edge of the mediato the bottom of the barcode area.

In general, as explained above, placing a barcode on the individualmedium allows the printing device to identify the type of media unit.The identification may be used in a calibration process of the printingdevice, including, but not limited, in conjunction with a generatedprofile as described herein or in conjunction with a burn or look-uptable. The generated profiles refer to the method of generating aprofile for, e g., a particular type of media with a reference printerand then applying it to non-reference printing device which may includeusing an offset that represents differences between the reference andnon-reference printing devices. For the generated profiles, each mediais calibrated to the printing devices. A burn table is a table thatprovides preferred printing parameters of a number of media provided bythe media providers or in some cases by a printing device manufacturerand is not tied to or corresponds to reference and non-referenceprinting devices.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a printing device that may benefit from theuse of the profiles disclosed herein. The printer device 1120 mayinclude several components, such as a printhead 1128, a platen roller1129, a feed path 1130, a peeler bar 1132, a media exit path 1134,rollers 1136, a carrier exit path 1138, a ribbon take-up spool 1140, aribbon supply roll 1141, a reader 1142, a controller 1145, and, amongother things, a conveyance system 1146. In general, the printing device1120 is configured to process a series of media units such as labels,cards, etc, that may be carried by a substrate liner or web 1122. Theconveyance system 1146 is configured to direct the web 1122 along thefeed path 1130 and between the printhead 1128 and the platen roller 1129for printing indicia onto the media units 1124. The ribbon supply roll1141 provides a thermal ribbon (not shown to avoid overcomplicating thedrawing) that extends along a path such that a portion of the ribbon ispositioned between the printhead 1128 and the media units 1124. Thetemperature of printhead 1128 is elevated and then printhead 1128presses a portion of the ribbon onto the media units 1124 to printindicia. The take-up spool 1140 is configured to receive and spool theused ribbon. This printing technique is commonly referred to as athermal transfer printing. However, other printing techniques may beused such as direct thermal printing. In direct thermal printing, theprinthead presses directly against and heats coated media without theuse of an intermediate ribbon. Other examples of printing techniquesthat may be used include, without limitation, inkjet printing, dotmatrix printing, laser printing and electrophotographic printing.

After printing, the media unit web 1124 proceeds to the media exit path1134 where the media units are typically individually removed from theweb 1122. For example, in one embodiment, pre-cut media units 1124 maybe simply peeled from the web 1122 using the peeler bar 1132 as shown.In other embodiments, a group of multiple media units may be peeledtogether and transmitted downstream to an in-line cutter for subsequentseparation (not shown). Various other media unit removal techniques maybe used as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Inapplications, such as the depicted embodiment, in which the media units1124 are supported by a web 1122, the web 1122 may be guided along apath toward the carrier exit path 1138 by rollers 1136 or other devicesonce being separated from the media units.

As the media units 1124 travel between the printhead 1128 and the platenroller 1129, the tension between the platen roller 1129 and the mediaunits 1124 may vary. For example, the media units 1124 may travel in ageneral linear path from the nip defined by the printhead 1128 and theplaten roller 1129. In such an environment, the media units may exertminimal tension unto the platen roller. As another example, soon afterexiting the nip, the web or liner 1122 may be peeled away from the mediaunits 1124 and the liner 1122 may be routed along a sharp curved pathrelative the platen roller 1129 (as shown in FIG. 10). In thisenvironment, the liner 1122 may exert more tension of the platen roller1129 compared to the first example. In yet another example, in someembodiments, the media units may be rewound through the printing devicewhich may also exert tension on the platen roller 1129. In general, anincrease in tension on the platen roller 1129 may require that morepressure or heat be applied by the printhead to achieve the same printquality as if there was no tension. Therefore, a factor that might beconsidered during the printing operations is the existence of thetension on the platen roller 1129 exerted by the media units.

As mentioned above, the printing device may also include a user inputelement 1150 (e.g., a keypad, touch sensitive interface, etc.), an inputport 1152 (e.g., a USB port), a memory element 1154, and at least onesensor 1158. Among other things, the input element 1150 and/or the inputport 1152 may be configured to receive information regarding the type ofmedia and/or the profile for that type of media. The sensor 1158 may beable to identify the particular type of media or other information fromthe media, e.g., the sensor 1158 may be a barcode sensor 1158 that canread a barcode on the media. In another embodiment, the printing devicemay include an RFID reader 1150 that can read information from an RFIDtag attached to the media or attached to the supply of media. The RFIDtag may contain information such as profiles and/or type of media. Oncereceived, the profile or profiles may be stored in the memory element1154 and be accessible to the controller 1145.

The controller 1145 may be configured to access the information such asprofiles and type of media in order to synchronize or adjust theprinting operations. As in the above examples, the controller 1145 maychange one or more printing parameters based on a profile and type ofmedia. The controller 1145 may control the conveyance mechanism tostart, change speed, or stop movement depending on, e.g., the desiredprint speed, increase or decrease of the energy applied to theprinthead, and/or generate messages to an operator using a user displayscreen. In instances, in which the controller 1145 lacks certaininformation, e.g., a profile for a particular media, the controller 1145may send a request for the profile. The request may be a message to anoperator or to another computing device such as a server of the printingdevice manufacturer. In the last example, the controller 1145 may sendthe request over a network, e.g., the Internet, to the server.

Referring back to changing printing parameters, one method may be toprovide a particular strobe pattern to the printhead. A printhead mayhave one or more heating elements arranged in rows. Each heating elementis configured to print a pixel of an image. Rather than activate, e.g.,increase the temperature of, each heating element of a row, the heatingelements may be selectively activated. The heating elements can beheated through a series of driving circuits. Each driving circuit can beconfigured to communicate with a certain number of heating elements perrow. For example, a printing device may have a first driving circuit incommunication with 25 percent of the heating elements of a row (referredto as a first set of heating elements), a second driving circuit incommunication with another 25 percent of the heating elements of the row(referred to as a second set of heating elements), a third drivingcircuit in communication with yet another 25 percent of the heatingelements of the row (referred to as a third set of heating elements),and a fourth driving circuit in communication with the last 25 percentof the heating elements of the row (referred to as a fourth set ofheating elements). In order to active a set of heating elements, astrobe signal is sent along one of the driving circuits which activatesthe heating elements in communication with the driving circuit. Thestrobe signal is essentially electrical energy sent through a drivingcircuit that activates the heating elements. The controller 1145 may beconfigured to control the timing of the strobe signals including theduration for any given strobe signals. The power source of the printingdevice such as a battery, a power source circuit, an external powersource, or another type power source unit (PSU) may provide the energy.

At any given time, all the heating elements of a row may be activated bysending a strobe signal along each of the driving circuits. However,this would consume power and could quickly drain the power source. Itmay also create a large voltage drop which could have a detrimentaleffect on the printing operations. Alternatively, only one section ofthe heating elements can be activated at one time, although this mayconserve energy, it may require more time for the printhead to heat upsufficiently such that it transfers enough heat or energy to the media.

Rather than activate all or one of the sets (or sections) of the heatingelements, embodiments of the present invention can selectively activatesets according to a particular pattern, referred to herein as a strobepattern. FIG. 11 illustrates a graphical representation of an example ofsuch a strobe pattern. As in FIG. 11, each row has four sets of heatingelements and each set is in communication with a driving circuit. Theleftmost column of the graph shows, among other things, Strobe1,Strobe2, Strobe3, and Strobe4. Strobe1 represents a first drivingcircuit in communication with a first set of heating elements. Strobe2represents a second driving circuit in communication with a second setof heating elements. Strobe3 represents a third driving circuit incommunication with a third set of heating elements. Strobe4 represents afourth driving circuit in communication with a fourth set of heatingelements. To the right of the column is a horizontal line thatrepresents the time when a particular set of heating elements isactivated. The line only has two vertical positions wherein the topposition represents the set of heating elements being OFF and the bottomposition represents the set of the heating elements being ON (oractivated). The horizontal distance represents time. For example,Strobe1 shows that the first set of heating elements starts the processOFF and then is turned ON for 122 microseconds (μs), turned OFF for237.4 microseconds, turned ON for 118 microseconds, turned OFF verybriefly, turned ON for 42.2 microseconds, turned OFF for 104.4microseconds, turned ON for 46.8 microseconds, and turned OFF for therest of the graph's time period. As another example, Strobe2 shows thesecond set of heating elements starts the process OFF and then is turnedON (at the same time that the first set of heating elements is firstturned ON) for 121.6 microseconds, turned OFF very briefly, turned ONfor 111.8 microseconds, turned OFF for 251 microseconds, turned ON for41.8 microseconds, turned OFF very briefly, turned ON for 48microseconds, and turned OFF for the rest of the graph's time period.

In strobe pattern of FIG. 11, each set of heating elements is activatedtwice with a short delay (i.e., there is relatively brief period inwhich the set of heating elements is turned off between the twoactivation periods). This allows the controller (e.g. controller 1145)to better control the printhead from absorbing too much power whilemaintaining a certain heat level in the set of heating elements (e.g.,the brief period of deactivation can be configured so it is too short toallow the heating elements to cool off completely which would thenrequire more power to reactivate the heating elements, while stillallowing for power conservation as compared to just one long activationperiod without any period of deactivation). The optimal time period forthe interruption between activation periods may vary among printingdevices, printheads and other factors. For example, the time period forthe interruption may be based on the thermo properties of the printhead(i.e., the rate at which the printhead absorbs, reflects, or radiateheat). The longer it takes for the printhead to cool then the longer theinterruption may be configured to be, without having a significanteffect on the temperature of the printhead. Typically if a printheadtakes a long time to cool, it often takes a long time to heat and, thus,the activation period of (or the time needed to sufficiently heat) theheating elements may be longer too.

As evident in the illustrated strobe pattern, the sets of heatingelements are fired in pairs in the following order: 1-2 (i.e., the firstand second sets of heating elements); 2-3, 3-4, and 4-1. In thebeginning with the 1-2, the power supply may be fully charged such thatit provides a full power value. After awhile, the power supply may beconfigured to begin draining, which may lead to a slight faint in theprint. It is believed that by activating the same set of heatingelements in a row with a brief interruption, the set of heating elementsmay reuse heat from the first period of activation (also referred to asa “pulse”) during the second period of activation, because the pulsefrequency can be configured such that not enough time has passed toallow the set of heating elements to cool between pulses. The briefinterruption may also help the power source to recharge. During the 4-1activation, although the first set of heating elements has had the mosttime to cool, it was configured to receive the most power as the firstset of heating elements to be activated during a full charge. Therefore,it is beneficial to have the last and more drained pulse include thefirst set of heating elements.

As shown in FIG. 11, the first set of pulses for each set of heatingelements is configured to be (approximately) 110 to 122 microseconds,which may be considered long for primary pulses. As the power is drainedthe pulses are configured to be shorter, shown from around 41microseconds to 48 microseconds, and are referred to as short orsecondary pulses. According to the pattern shown in FIG. 11, the patternof the primary pulses and the pattern of the second pulses areconfigured to be substantially the same.

The shown strobe pattern is intended as an example and not as alimitation. One in the art would appreciate that other embodiments mayhave different strobe patterns in which the heating elements areselectively activated and, for example, the pattern may include twopulses with a brief interruption. The optimal length of the pulses andthe interruption may vary among printing devices, printheads, media, andbased on other factors. The preferred strobe pattern may become part ofa profile for a particular type of media as disclosed herein. In otherwords, the strobe pattern may be used as a means to achieve a particularprint quality. Similarly, rather than or in addition to having profilesdirected to print quality, the strobe patterns may establish a profilefor conserving energy. A manufacturer of the power supply or theprinting device may determine an optimal strobe pattern that, forexample, maintains a print quality level while optimizing energy use andconservation.

One skilled in the art would appreciate the benefits and advantages thatthe embodiments disclosed herein provide. For example, the profilesprovide improved flexibility for a printing device to accommodate a widevariety of supplies or applications while providing a desired printquality. Moreover, compared to other systems, the profiles may allow theprinting device to be configured to adjust one or more parametersautomatically and/or dynamically (e.g., without requiring input from anoperator). Embodiments may also provide end users with more flexibilityin terms of choosing suppliers or in stocking different supplies atdifferent locations.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed:
 1. A supply of a first type of media comprising:an identification means configured to be accessible to a printing devicesuch that the printing device can identify the first type of media; andwherein the identification means comprises a profile for the first typeof media, and wherein the profile is configured to indicate an offsetbased on a difference between a reference printing device and theprinting device.
 2. The supply according to claim 1, wherein theidentification means is a barcode.
 3. The supply according to claim 1,wherein the identification means is an RFID tag.
 4. The supply accordingto claim 1, wherein the profile provides information to the printingdevice for adjusting one or more printing parameters of the printingdevice for obtaining a desired print quality.
 5. The supply according toclaim 4, wherein the printing parameters further comprise a print speed.6. The supply according to claim 4, wherein the printing parametersfurther comprise an energy applied to a printhead.
 7. The supplyaccording to claim 4, wherein the print parameters further comprise atemperature of a printhead.
 8. The supply according to claim 4, whereinthe print parameters further comprise a tension on a platen roller. 9.The supply according to claim 1, wherein the profile further comprises areference environmental conditions.
 10. The supply according to claim 9,wherein the offset is further based on a difference between thereference environmental conditions and ambient environmental conditions.11. The supply according to claim 9, wherein the environmentalconditions comprises a temperature.
 12. The supply according to claim 9,wherein the environmental conditions comprises a humidity.
 13. Thesupply according to claim 1, wherein the profile further comprises areference media type.
 14. The supply according to claim 13, wherein theoffset is further based on a difference of the reference media type andthe first type of media.
 15. The supply according to claim 1, whereinthe profile is received by the printing device; and wherein the profileis compared, by a processor, to an offset relationship table.